Jacques Villeneuve's future

VilleneuveTracy · 2 Jun 2005, 03:20 (Ref:1317622)

What does the future have in store for JV? Is there any chance that he can get a ride with a premier team, such as his old team, Williams? If not, the only hope of him ever running competitive again in F1 is BMW buying Sauber and making it a relatively strong team, but what are the odds that BMW would retain him if they purchased Sauber? If he has no viable option in F1 will he retire--he accomplished by age 26 enough to retire at that age and still have a secure place in the history books (one WDC, one ChampCar championship, victory in the last meaningful Indy 500) or will he race in ChampCar, or even the IRL?

I hope JV gets a shot with a competitive F1 team, whether it is an established team (obviously this is very unlikely) or with BMW if it buys Sauber. If not, he is 34 years old right now and surely has several more productive seasons in him. If he moves to ChampCar or the IRL he would be an immediate championship contender and probably would be able to land a solid ride in either series.

Oaksnaf · 2 Jun 2005, 03:26 (Ref:1317627)

This is his last year. Whether he finish before the season is out who knows, but it would not surprise me.

Peter Sauber made an awesome move with Kimi, but a poor one with JV.

VilleneuveTracy · 2 Jun 2005, 03:29 (Ref:1317629)

Last year in racing or last year in F1?

raul_iulian · 2 Jun 2005, 03:40 (Ref:1317632)

or maybe not....!
u never know!

DKGandBH · 2 Jun 2005, 03:43 (Ref:1317634)

Maybe he could buy a seat in a Minardi...
They don't do much development work anyway

DKGandBH

raul_iulian · 2 Jun 2005, 03:53 (Ref:1317641)

Quote:

Originally Posted by DKGandBH

Maybe he could buy a seat in a Minardi...

He could buy Minardi with feathers and everything!

lol

Seton Fanatic · 2 Jun 2005, 04:12 (Ref:1317648)

Jacques will be at Sauber in 2006, I'm pretty certain.

Kicking-back · 2 Jun 2005, 06:08 (Ref:1317668)

When Jacques leaves F1 a Le Mans sportscar project is probably the only other racing he'd do.

He won't go back to US racing.

raul_iulian · 2 Jun 2005, 06:22 (Ref:1317673)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kicking-back

When Jacques leaves F1 a Le Mans sportscar project is probably the only other racing he'd do.

He won't go back to US racing.

Why?
What makes u say that?

VilleneuveTracy · 2 Jun 2005, 06:34 (Ref:1317677)

I second that question. Isn't ChampCar the top open wheel series after F1 (I am a NASCAR fan who has become very interested in F1 recently so I am not very familiar with open wheel racing)? Why wouldn't he return to his winning ways in ChampCar and rehabiliate his image so he will be remembered as the champion he is and not the guy who ran mid-pack during his final years in F1?

Kicking-back · 2 Jun 2005, 06:42 (Ref:1317678)

From what Jacques has said publicly.

In terms of single seater racing F1 is up there - and anything else is way behind.

He also says he has little interest in the US scene since the split.

I also think he doesn't particularly care how people "remember him".

This history books will show he's a world champion - and that can't be taken away.

I've also heard him say in the past that he's won the Indy 500, won the F1 World Championship, so Le Mans would "complete the set".

Logrence · 2 Jun 2005, 08:59 (Ref:1317751)

My first thought was "what future?", but I think this guy will follow the money.

JohnSSC · 2 Jun 2005, 10:07 (Ref:1317828)

I think he will boldly follow the trail he blazed last year: Living on his boat, going to the gym, playing video games....

Don K · 2 Jun 2005, 10:38 (Ref:1317859)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VilleneuveTracy

Last year in racing or last year in F1?

Last year in F1.
Unless he keeps improving.

VilleneuveTracy · 2 Jun 2005, 10:46 (Ref:1317874)

How much improvement do longtime F1 observers believe he needs to have to keep his ride for next season, given the significant possibility that Sauber may try to add Heidfeld, or perhaps even Webber, given Heidfeld's performance vis-a-vis Webber thus far, to its roster? Would simply consistently outperforming Massa be sufficient or as a former WDC does he have to beat Massa by a substantial margin to be considered as "still having it"?

Is there any possibility JV could get a first-tier--or even a second-tier--(such as a Toyota or BAR ride) ride if he continues improving and regains the form that set the racing world on fire during 1996-1997? I have read interesting talk here about JV replacing Rubens at Ferrari. If he returns to form would he have a legitimate shot at that ride or does his age kill his chances of getting a top ride due to the presence of so many "young guns"?

**Peter Mallett** · 2 Jun 2005, 11:12 (Ref:1317896)

If he returns to form is the question. We were asked to cut him slack for the three Renault drives last year, now we are being asked to do the same this season and yet people are suggesting we continue to do so and even stretch the bounds of credibilty to believe he's going to be invited to drive for a "top" team.

Hmm. Can I have some of that stuff his fans are smoking please?

Seriously can anybody find any real merit in his performances this year so far? Certainly he was reasonable in Monaco practice but as stated above, he is a WDC. Why shouldn't we and indeed Sauber expect more?

Glen · 2 Jun 2005, 11:25 (Ref:1317907)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VilleneuveTracy

How much improvement do longtime F1 observers believe he needs to have to keep his ride for next season?

Is there any possibility JV could get a first-tier--or even a second-tier--(such as a Toyota or BAR ride) ride if he continues improving and regains the form that set the racing world on fire during 1996-1997?

He needs to beat Massa at all - not by a big margin, but just look as good if not better than Massa.

I don't think there is any prospect of a top league drive - certainly not at Ferrari. This is not due to his age as such - if he was fast and consistent enough he would have a lot more options, but he needs to impress like DC is doing at RBR (a very good example of an older driver holding his own and doing a nice, professional job).

VilleneuveTracy · 2 Jun 2005, 11:34 (Ref:1317911)

Quote:

even stretch the bounds of credibilty to believe he's going to be invited to drive for a "top" team.

I highly doubt he is going to be given a ride with a top team. This is partly why I posted this thread. I don't see why a WDC would resign himself to racing for a team that has never finished higher than 3rd and has only a handful of podium finishes in its history if there was no light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. He could go to ChampCar and become a contender to win right out the box. I do not see the point in racing for, at best, 6th or 7th each race.

The only scenario I can see right now of JV ever winning, or at least finishing on the podium, again in F1 is BMW buying Sauber and making the team a solid team. I don't expect BMW to make Sauber on par with McLaren or Ferrari but I hope its funding can raise Sauber to the level of Toyota or BAR and give JV an opportunity to contend in some races.

Yesterday's test at Monza seems encouraging because JV was basically on par with Trulli, despite driving inferior equipment.

Unofficial Wednesday times from Monza:
1. Anthony Davidson, BAR (Michelin), 1:21.887
2. Marc Gene, Ferrari (Bridgestone), 1:22.381
3. Jarno Trulli, Toyota (Michelin), 1:22.542
4. Enrique Bernoldi, BAR (Michelin), 1:22.616
5. Jacques Villeneuve, Sauber (Michelin), 1:22.796

Glen · 2 Jun 2005, 11:39 (Ref:1317922)

I honestly am not trying to inflame JV-phile opinion, but it is hard to see how JV would fit into a new BMW super-team. They would presumably be looking for young, fast and impressive racers - like Heidfeld for example. I don't think JV fits the profile, even if he is able to rectify his speed and consistency woes.

Skam85 · 2 Jun 2005, 11:40 (Ref:1317923)

He finished 4th in Imola. More weekends like that and he will be back earning kudos.

Glen · 2 Jun 2005, 11:45 (Ref:1317930)

Montreal is a similar circuit in some ways - hope he has another good race.

Kicking-back · 2 Jun 2005, 11:51 (Ref:1317940)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VilleneuveTracy

I don't see why a WDC would resign himself to racing for a team that has never finished higher than 3rd and has only a handful of podium finishes in its history if there was no light at the end of the tunnel, if you will. He could go to ChampCar and become a contender to win right out the box.

Because it's Formula One!

He'd rather race in it, than go off and win races in a minority-interest sport.

GP Racer · 2 Jun 2005, 12:20 (Ref:1317962)

IMO, JV has shown absolutely nothing last season and this season, that would make me think Sauber will hold onto him, and the thought that he deserves a top ride is just laughable.

Massa has been kicking his butt all season, and thats not likely to change. If anyone from that team deserves a top ride it is Massa, for kicking his teamates butt all over the track! If Massa was competing against a no-name teamate, we would be talking about how Massa deserves a shot at something better, instead we waste our time talking about JV because of his name...

Black_Flag · 2 Jun 2005, 12:24 (Ref:1317966)

If Massa has kicking JV ass all season, why is J.V. have more points than Massa?

Menelaos · 2 Jun 2005, 12:26 (Ref:1317967)

I don't think he will do anything. He's so ****ed off that all these years were a big ZERO for him, and he really can't get over it, that's what I think. Imagine what Raikonen must feel like NOW, after losing the last GP the way he did. I think that's how JV feels since '97, and I don't think he's able to overcome this.

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